Wanted: Room to Grow

Holly and German Vasconez's starter home isn't cutting it anymore. It's bursting at the seams with clutter, and they need help getting it in shape to put on the market. That's where the Designed to Sell team comes into the picture. With a $2,000 budget and just days before the open house, they are eager to get started.

First on the scene is real estate expert Donna Freeman. She begins with the exterior, noting that some of the house is hidden by shrubbery, and the rest of the area looks unkempt in general.

Moving inside, Donna finds clutter and dirty spots in nearly every room. The closet in the hallway is packed so full that everything falls out when opened. Remember, buyers check out everything when doing walk-throughs.

The next one to check out the home is designer Lisa LaPorta, who comes up with a plan to get this house in order:

Step 1: Give 'em room to grow. Buyers pay more for space and storage so we need to find it and show it off.

Step 2: Beef up the bones. Strengthening the home's basic structure will add more weight to the asking price.

Step 3: Downplay the dingy. The wall colors and decor need a fresh feel before buyers will want to nest.

It's going to take a lot of elbow grease, but she's positive it's possible. Helping her make it all happen is the usual team of contractor Jim Collins and carpenters Brad Haviland and Nick Ralbovsky.